Thune Gets Seat on Ag & Commerce Committees

From the Yankton Press & Dakotan:

Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., will sit on the Senate Agriculture and Commerce committees when Congress reconvenes in January.

Thune moves to the agriculture panel in time to help craft comprehensive farm legislation next year. South Dakota has not had a member on the committee since Democratic Senate Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., lost re-election to Thune in 2004.

The commerce panel is also a plum assignment. That committee oversees aviation, railroads, telecommunications, science, space and consumer affairs, among other issues.

While gaining those seats, Thune will leave the Environment and Public Works and Veterans Affairs Committees. He will keep his seats on the Armed Services and Small Business panels.

"Sen. Thune is pleased to have secured seats on these powerful committees that are important to South Dakota farmers, families, small businesses and military personnel," said Thune spokesman Kyle Downey.

Thune is currently traveling in Iraq and the Middle East.

Farm bill negotiations are expected to take up much of next year, as the last six-year farm bill is scheduled to expire. Downey said Thune's new seat "will allow him to have a voice for South Dakota farmers and ranchers during the upcoming farm bill."

Democrat Tom Harkin of Iowa will take over the panel when Democrats become the Senate majority in January.